Smallholders Insurance from Greenlands

Author Topic: unwell ewe  (Read 4248 times)

firemansam

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Staffordshire
unwell ewe
« on: February 24, 2013, 06:32:24 pm »
I have a ewe that is possibley in lamb and due in around 2-4 we eks.
she is this evening a little unsteady on her feet and not eating. I had a quick look at her as she is vewry tame and her back end is very dirty.
She would usually charge down the field for food but walks slowly and stops half way.
Any ideas?

Old Shep

  • Joined Feb 2011
  • North Yorkshire
Re: unwell ewe
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2013, 06:37:58 pm »
Hope someone with more experience comes along shortly - but it could be lack of calcium, or twin lamb disease.  Is she shaking?  There have been some really good threads recently on the administration of calcium and twin lamb disease drench which you may want to read.  good luck.
Helen - (used to be just Shep).  Gordon Setters, Border Collies and chief lambing assistant to BigBennyShep.

ZaktheLad

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Thornbury, Nr Bristol
Re: unwell ewe
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2013, 06:49:29 pm »
Could possibly be twin lamb disease.  I would get her inside if you can.  Are you feeding any hard feed - what is her condition like?  Have you wormed her?  I would definitely want to be cleaning up that dirty rear end before lambing too - not a nice task, but you don't want her lambing with a filthy bum - keep everything as clean as you possibly can in this area as hygiene so important at lambing time for both mum and babies.   I would not hesitate in calling the vet out to your ewe if you are worried about her - twin lamb can be fatal if not treated properly and at least it will put your mind at rest to have them look at her.  I know it's an expense that eats in to profit etc, but if you are unsure about injecting or do not have any drench to hand, the vet is the best course of action in order to give your animal the best chance of a speedy recovery.   By the way, did your other ewe lamb ok - the one you were sat up with back a week or so ago?

SallyintNorth

  • Joined Feb 2011
  • Cornwall
  • Rarely short of an opinion but I mean well
    • Trelay Cohousing Community
Re: unwell ewe
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2013, 07:06:18 pm »
If she's dirty behind and shaky she may have a fluke or worm burden - what's her condition score?  Can you feel her ribs, the bones in her tail?

You can't do any harm with a twin lamb drench so get a shot of that down her throat, make sure she's got some nice hay and fresh water.
Don't listen to the money men - they know the price of everything and the value of nothing

Live in a cohousing community with small farm for our own use.  Dairy cows (rearing their own calves for beef), pigs, sheep for meat and fleece, ducks and hens for eggs, veg and fruit growing

shep53

  • Joined Jan 2011
  • Dumfries & Galloway
Re: unwell ewe
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2013, 07:31:54 pm »
 Same questions as every one else,  when was she last treated for fluke and worms if you have them ? what condition score is she ? does she have a high or low temp ? did she a dirty bum yesterday or not , is it just dirty or diarrhoea ?  have she eaten anything different ? have you  changed her feeding or increased it ?  any grinding of teeth ?  THINKING   Acidosis      Worms                                           May need a vet to rehydrate her if the dirty bum is bad or treat for acidosis /  TLD treatment, which she may have as well or will get if not eating .  Any blood around the rear from anus / vulva
« Last Edit: February 24, 2013, 08:06:55 pm by shep53 »

firemansam

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Staffordshire
Re: unwell ewe
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2013, 08:17:48 pm »
she has hay and ewe and lamb mix usually, wormed fluked and hep vac in early and late jan so worms and fluke should be ok. Condition score is around 3 - 3.5 they lost a little in jan with all the snow regardless of how much hay I put outshe is probably dirty due to diahorrea, not changed feed, no blood around vulva or bum, she seemed ok yesterday,
will twin lamb in the morning.
thanks

the other ewe still hasnt lambed and seems absolutley fine at the moment. So that does make me wonder if the 2 are connected in any way and the 1st had a calcium problem

shep53

  • Joined Jan 2011
  • Dumfries & Galloway
Re: unwell ewe
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2013, 08:51:55 pm »
Is she standing or lying . Early treatment is vital   calcium     TLD drench or even treacle     tepid water available             if shes lying bales on either side to stop her getting on her side and getting bloat               No mention of temp     a digital thermometer is cheap and very easy to use a must have for sheep
« Last Edit: February 24, 2013, 09:13:02 pm by shep53 »

shep53

  • Joined Jan 2011
  • Dumfries & Galloway
Re: unwell ewe
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2013, 09:00:34 pm »
[size=78%]the other ewe still hasnt lambed and seems absolutley fine at the moment. So that does make me wonder if the 2 are connected in any way and the 1st had a calcium problem[/size]
    if she had hypocalcaemia  and no treatment she'd be dead

firemansam

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Staffordshire
Re: unwell ewe
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2013, 05:33:09 pm »
Pen and strep last night, and she seems fine this morning, droppings still not right.
Twin lambed drenched today, so hopefully she will continue improving.

thanks everyone

shep53

  • Joined Jan 2011
  • Dumfries & Galloway
Re: unwell ewe
« Reply #9 on: February 25, 2013, 06:50:55 pm »
 :thumbsup:  sounds like she ate something that upset her stomach

 

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